Sri Vijaya Puram | January 29, 2026
A five-day training programme on Adolescent Friendly Health Services (AFHS) under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) was organized for Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and Community Health Officers (CHOs) from January 20 to 24 at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Industries.
The training aimed at broadening the scope of the adolescent health programme beyond sexual and reproductive health to include key areas such as nutrition, injuries and violence including gender-based violence, non-communicable diseases, mental health and substance misuse.
Addressing the participants, the Director of Health Services, Dr. H.M. Siddaraju, emphasized the need for conducting regular Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics at respective health institutions. He also urged health workers to motivate adolescents to approach healthcare providers without hesitation for both physical and mental health concerns.
Dr. Shiny Varghese, Deputy Director (Family Welfare), encouraged participants to ensure timely and accurate data entry in the Adolescent Friendly Health Clinic (AFHC) application, stating that effective data management would contribute to improving AFHC rankings and overall programme performance.
The training featured expert sessions by Dr. Amrita Burma, AP, PSM, ANIIMS; Dr. Mitul Saha, SR, PSM, ANIIMS; Dr. Rahim, Medical Officer (RBSK); Dr. Jahanara Yasmin, Deputy Director (MS & IEC), ANACS; and Ms. Hemalatha, Clinical Psychologist, G.B. Pant Hospital, who served as resource persons.
The programme was aimed at strengthening the capacity of frontline health workers to address the diverse health needs of adolescents in a comprehensive and sensitive manner.
